KMA Boss Sues Two Assembly Members

The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) Chief Executive, Hon Kojo Bonsu, has dragged two members of the Assembly before a Kumasi High Court for allegedly making false and malicious statements intended to damage his reputation.

The KMA Boss is suing Maxwell Ofosu Boakye and Addai Philip, both of Kumasi for claiming “…there is no transparency and accountability of proceeds from the continued occupation and running of the terminal amongst others.

The two are reported to have falsely claimed “Kejetia was taken over by Hon. Kwadwo Bonsu in the last quarter of 2013 and by then it was trumpeted that the assembly was getting GHC 12,000 on daily basis, we are reliably informed that the amount has been reduced to GHC 9,000. The question that comes to mind is, ‘what has accounted for the decline of proceeds of about 25% (GHC3, 000) on daily basis?’”

The two also alleged that the “M.C.E. has sold out the tract of land opposite K.M.A. to a Korean firm as well as precast parcel of land without the Assembly’s approval”.

The writ further avers that the defendants again falsely and maliciously caused a publication to be made on ‘Fox FM’, a Kumasi based radio on the 18th February, 2014 that;

“…the Mayor was aware that Henry collected GHc200.00 form 286 market women to be given to him (Mayor), and that there are many more of such incidents that the Mayor is aware of”.

These words have been interpreted by the Lawyers of the KMA Boss as follows;

1. Henry acted as an agent to the plaintiff in the extortion of monies from the market women.

2. That an amount of GHC57,200 was collected from the market women to be given to the Mayor of a gift worth that amount.

3. That there were many similar situations that monies were also collected for the Mayor

4. That the plaintiff is a dishonest and dishonourable person

5. That he is unfit to be in his office or position.

By reason of the premise, the Kumasi Mayor says he has been greatly injured in his credit, character and reputation in his office and occupation, and has been brought into public scandal, odium and contempt.

He is thus praying the court for GHC300,00.00 in damages and an injunction to also restrain Maxwell Ofosu Boakye and Addai Philip (Defendants) from writing or publishing any such defamatory statements against him in future.